The three-day Operational Climate Services course is oriented toward
NWS Climate Focal Points with the objective to develop operational
skills in three main areas:
(1) Climate customer services: delivery of national and local climate
products, services, and information;
(2) Climate observing system stewardship;
(3) NWS office staff education on local climate variability, products
and services.

This residence training is expected to equip NWS Climate Focal
Points with the necessary information, resources, and tools to perform
climate services duties. Prior to attending the residence portion
of the operational training, attendees are expected to complete
important prerequisites via online exercises and teletraining. The
residence course topics will include: (1) NOAA and NOAA partners'
climate services with an emphasis on application of major climate
variability processes (ENSO, MJO, drought, etc.) and how to access
national climate products and forecasts; (2) Assessment of the local
impacts of these current climate variability states; (3) Strategies
to assess local climatology; (4) Development and delivery of local
climate products based on downscaling and compositing analysis,
including verification techniques; (5) Best Practices for climate
observing system stewardship; and (6) Training tools for the Climate
Focal Point to educate the local office staff.

Expected specific outcomes

Each trainee, upon completion of the residence training, should
be able to: